Red Light District: Explore Amsterdam's Heart

Discover Amsterdam’s Red Light District with a local guide. Uncover its history, myths, and modern-day realities. Get insider tips and a special souvenir.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Red Light District (De Wallen) - Explore the rich history of the Red Light District and prostitution, and understand why sex workers chose this revered location. Discover how Amsterdam earned its reputation for a liberal stance on sex.
  • Dam Square - Uncover the origins of the coffee shop concept and learn about what was once the heart of…
What's Included
  • 1.5-hour walking tour around the Red Light District in Amsterdam
  • Tour in small group
  • Map with information for the last stretch of the tour
  • Small gift guaranteed to bring a smile to your face
What's Not Included
  • Tours in the Red Light District have been prohibited since 2020, so this tour goes to outskirts
Additional Information

This provides a unique and genuine insight into the core of Amsterdam’s most intriguing neighborhood. The guide is a local resident who will offer a deeper understanding of this captivating and often misunderstood area.
Explore the everyday lives of sex workers, the history of this age-old profession, and the Netherlands’ famously tolerant stance on…

Location
Bistro Berlage
Beursplein
The meeting point is Beursplein, on the square. Please wait at the bottom of the stairs of Bistro Berlage, we will meet in front of the bistro. The guide will be waiting by the large black lantern, holding a sign that says 'Guidance'.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(79 Ratings)
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Ginger_r
Jun 29, 2025
Manouk was an incredible... - Manouk was an incredible guide for the red-light district tour. She came prepared with visuals and provided excellent answers to our many questions. Would highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Yvonne_l
Jun 27, 2025
Informative, engaging local guide who came prepared with visuals and unique stories - Manouk was an outstanding guide for our Red Light District tour - informative, respectful, and highly engaging. She came well-prepared with visuals to illustrate key points, from the origins of Amsterdam’s sex work industry to fun facts like why coffeeshops are called “coffeeshops.” Her storytelling was compelling and helped bring history and context to life. She was also really inclusive and made an effort to engage everyone in the group. There was a pair of elderly ladies with us who were a little slower, and Manouk handled the situation with sensitivity and empathy (e.g., finding places to sit or lean against), maintaining their dignity while keeping the pace comfortable for the rest of us. What made it extra special was that she actually lives in the Red Light District, so she shared personal stories and experiences which you definitely won’t get on just any tour. As we passed through Chinatown, she also gave us recommendations for the best Asian restaurants in the area (Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, etc.). This is super helpful since the tour ended close to 7pm, perfect timing for dinner in the area! All in all, a really insightful and unique tour. Highly recommend Manouk!
Review provided by Viator
357laynea
Jun 24, 2025
Great Tour! Highly recommended! - Our tour guide was excellent! Very knowledgeable, easy to chat with and willing to talk all things Netherlands! Very safe and easy walking tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Parker_s
Jun 24, 2025
Great understanding of Red Light District Provided - Natasha was an excellent guide! I would really recommend you book this tour if you are interested in all of the details you might be curious about. You can’t go exactly inside the district due to restrictions, but you can go in your own after the tour if interested.
Review provided by Viator
Shane_j
Jun 20, 2025
Very informative tour. - This was the first tour I took in Amsterdam and I was still trying to take in the city. Manouk was especially accommodating with giving the tour with just me and one other person. She not only provided a good history of the Red Light District (which was fascinating) but also a lot of information about how the Dutch people and government think. It was a good first introduction to the city, although I wouldn't particularly recommend it for kids. :)
Review provided by Viator
Davidpc8204nc
Jun 17, 2025
Great tour with Mantouk - Terrific tour with Manouk. Informative and entertaining. Plenty of local stories, history and background. All questions answered. Manouk knows her stuff. Thank you
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kirsten_s
Jun 12, 2025
Do this tour! - Out tour guide, Manouk was amazing! I did the red light distract tour and she gave a great tour that held my attention the entire time. She answered all of our questions perfectly. She even gave really great restaurant recommendations and was willing to give us any advice about the city that we needed. I really felt like it was a very personalized, high energy tour for a really great price. Manouk runs her own business, so you’re supporting a small business as a bonus!
Review provided by Viator
Betsyschuring
Jun 12, 2025
Part of Amsterdam past and present - Manouk was the perfect guide. She was informative, engaging and provided interesting facts along with personal connection to the district.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kevin_m
Jun 9, 2025
Great Red light tour - Manouk was an excellent tour guide and gave me very informative and personable tour. She also gave great info on the history of the city and the red light district! She also had excellent food recommendations. I would definitely tour with her again!
Review provided by Viator
Govelitz
Jun 6, 2025
Enlightening Tour of the Red Light District - Great Tour with Carlos. We were not really sure what to expect but it turns out it was quite enlightening. The tour group of 7 people walked around the district since guides are not allowed to bring group tours into the district. Places to visit were highlighted. Since Carlos actually lived in the red light district he shared many interesting stories about the variety of services provided in the district from sex to drugs. At the end a map was provided with directions to the various places that were spoken about. Then went in ourselves and walked around to view the different things. While we had no intention to purchase anything in the area, it was still interesting to see what it was all about. Our curiosity about the red light district has been satisfied.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $31
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).